Lunging

C

Cobland

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With me being pregnant (back has got worse) im not riding my lot as much as i want to. My gypsy mare mae has a foal at foot, shes 3 months old now. A friend suggested that i lunge this mare to exercise her. Now personally i thought you had to wait to lunge them after the foal was weaned before lunging, am i wrong?

She also suggested it with mia who has a near 2 month old foal at foot.
 
I wouldn't lunge them. The mares would be better off going out for short walks, either gently ridden or in-hand.
 
Is your friend advocating taking the mare away from the foal to work? If so, are the mares okay with that? You're certainly not in a position right now to be longing a horse that's likely to object!

As far as keeping the foal with the mare . . . that idea makes me shudder. There is such a good chance the foal might get caught up in the longe line and that would be an epic wreck. Not worth the risk.

I agree walking is probably a better choice for all concerned but there is still the issue of the foals.

As above, do they really need to be working? They're broodmares right now and that should be their first "job". I don't know anyone who longes broodmares. Is it a weight issue? If they're nursing they're giving a fair bit to the foals and shouldn't really need any more strain on their systems. Is it fitness? When will you be riding them again? Not for some time it would seem. If they've been riding fit before it will come back when you start work again.

Don't stress about it. It sounds like both you and the mares have enough on your plate right now. Just keep your back - and the rest of you - healthy and enjoy watching them be mothers.
 
Mae has got so overweight, she looks pregnant again, Mia has lost alot of muscle. Tbh i feel bad not doing anything with them. They are inside at the mo as field is water logged here, let them out in the arena for a while everyday, mae just stands there, mia has a wee walk around and then just stands about.

Foals go and play, take themselves over wee jumps and then try to kick the mares.

Yeap she suggested that i lunge them with the foals there, i wasnt for the idea so thought id get everyones opinion
 
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